The latest Doyle Inn training, open to members of all Colorado Inns, entitled “How to Navigate Private Practice-What You Need to Know” was held April 15, 2015 with a great turn-out. The two-hour CLE included a panel discussion on what lawyers need to know before entering into private practice. The topics included: the importance of finding a mentor, partner’s expectations-what the new attorney should know, finding the right Firm-fit, work/life balance, mistakes to avoid as a new attorney at a firm, transitioning to partner, and solo/small firm practice.

Elizabeth Howard (at lectern) moderates as (from left to right) John Watson, Doyle Inn President Craig May, and Nancy Rogers participate on the panel.

The Training was organized and moderated by Elizabeth J.M. Howard of Childs McCune. The instructors on the panel included John Tatlock, Special Counsel at Harris Family Law, Craig May, Partner at Wheeler, Trigg and O’Donnell, Nancy Rodgers, Partner at Kissinger & Fellman, John Watson, Partner Bernbaum Weinshienk, P.C., and Wadi Muhaisen, Partner Muhaisen & Muhaisen, LLC.

John Tatlock shares his advice to the attendees based on his decades of private legal practice experience.

The Doyle Inn once again thanks Holland & Hart, LLP for hosting the training at their Downtown Denver office.

The Doyle Inn is pleased to invite you to the two informal trainings focusing on basic practical skills in civil litigation. We are applying for 2 CLE’s for each of our sessions. There is no charge for attendees.

Cross Examination – What You Need to Know

This first session will focus on the successful cross examination of witnesses at trial in civil cases. It is entitled “Cross Examination – What You Need to Know”. The purpose of this session is to provide young lawyers with practical advice on cross examining a witness at trial. It will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the downtown office of Wheeler, Trigg, O’Donnell at 370 Seventeenth Street, Suite 4500 Denver, Colorado 80202-5647.Our instructors will include Kevin Traskos, Civil Chief, Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado and Craig May from Wheeler, Trigg and O’Donnell.

How to Navigate Private Practice-What You Need to Know

Our second session will be held on April 15, 2015. It is entitled “How to Navigate Private Practice-What You Need to Know.” This two-hour CLE will include a panel discussion on what lawyers need to know before entering into private practice. The topics will include:

The importance of finding a mentor

Partner’s expectations-what the new attorney should know

Finding the right firm for you (focusing on the differences in size of firm, culture, and type of work)

The billable hour-how to manage this

Work life balance-is there such a thing

Private practice is not the end of your public service identity-ways to incorporate public service into your practice

Mistakes to avoid as a young lawyer at a new firm

What law school doesn’t teach you

Transitioning from associate to partner

Solo Practice

It will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at the downtown office of Holland & Hart, LLP, 555 17th Street, Suite 3200 Denver, CO 80202.

I would like to invite you to the fourth in a series of informal trainings focusing on basic practical skills in civil litigation sponsored by the Doyle Inn. We are applying for 2 CLE’s for each of our sessions. There is no charge for attendees.

This session will focus on the successful preparation of witnesses to testify at deposition and trial in civil cases. It is entitled “So You Are Going to Be Witness –Now What?”

It will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the downtown office of Holland & Hart LLP, 555 17th Street, Suite 3200 Denver, CO 80202.

Materials will be distributed ahead of time so participants will have examples for future use. I hope this will be an interactive process with participants feeling free to ask questions and contribute experiences. We also invite experienced practitioners to share experiences as well as sample pleadings and outlines.

Please let me know if any of your Inn members, young lawyers or law clerks may be interested in attending. Also please have them RSVP to randy.bramer@ogc.usda.gov. I hope these talks will help further the Inns’ purpose of educating and mentoring young lawyers.